Carla, we are in the same boat. I'm trying to get myself (skin, hair, and figure) in better shape for my son's wedding this summer and have recently started using Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub and Neutrogena Pore Refining Cream (spf 15). I think cleaning your skin with something targeted for your "problems" is every bit as important as putting on a cream or lotion. And really effective cleansing should help with the breakouts you mentioned. I've only been using these products for about a week but I can already see improvement - really! My skin looks and feels smoother and looks more even in tone. Even the dreaded pores look a bit better. I expect that part to take a while but I am very pleased with the results so far. I've gotten compliments - without make up. Neither of these products is very expensive and a little goes a long way. I think they are well worth the price and the effort to use them consistently.

Those into bioidentical hormones love estriol. It is a weak form of estrogen, a metabolic byproduct of the normal breakdown of the body's two stronger circulating estrogens, estrone and estradiol. Enormous quantities are necessary to preserve bone mass, but itty bitty bits dabbed on your aging face may improve the quality of your skin. A .3% topical cream, available by prescription from compounding pharmacies, was applied daily to the wrinkly faces of a group of perimenopausal ladies. Not only did skin elasticity and firmness improve after six months of use, but also wrinkle depth and pore size decreased. Skin biopsy specimens (now how much did they pay these ladies for that?) showed increased numbers of collagen fibers. Serum hormone levels did not change and there was no evidence of any systemic hormone effects, suggesting that topical estriol is safe for use in women unable to use full-dose estrogen replacement therapy. I'm unsure of how well any OTC estrogen cream product would work as they would be very limited in the allowed amount of estrogen allowed.

Kim, I thought the same thing about Dove Pro Age. I'm going back to Dove for sensitive skin. Sue, I've been using moisturizers since I was 16, and I'm not stopping now! :-) Paula, those serum products are interesting. I haven't tried the Regenerist, but my daughter bought me one from Estee Lauder. I don't know if it's doing anything for my skin long-term, but it makes it feel like velvet. I also liked a sample of a Clinique serum that I tried.

Southwest..I would think yellow would affect your color choice. By yellow, I mean the the impact of the sunlight. Try B.M. Gull Wing Gray or any gray on that strip. It has a blue undertone which will cool things down and stay true. Chantilly Lace is a good white as a coordinate. As for your two considerations. I am going to say no to them, as each has a bronzy undertone which will change drastically once on the exterior.